Xbox Consoles Get Another Price Bump: What's Going On?
Microsoft has announced another price increase for its Xbox consoles, marking the second hike this year. The changes will take effect on October 3, just five months after the last adjustment.
Price Changes
| Model | New Price | May 2024 Price | Launch Price (Year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series S 512GB | $400 | $380 | $300 (2020) |
| Xbox Series S 1TB | $450 | $430 | $350 (2023) |
| Xbox Series X Digital | $600 | $550 | $450 (2024) |
| Xbox Series X | $650 | $600 | $500 (2020) |
| Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Edition | $800 | $730 | $600 (2024) |
Microsoft's Statement
Microsoft attributes the price increases to economic changes and acknowledges the difficulty this poses for gamers. They claim to have carefully considered the decision and are working on ways to offer more games and value for Xbox players.
Inflation vs. Price Increases
While inflation may explain some of the price hikes for older consoles, the significant jumps for newer models cannot be solely blamed on inflation.
- The Xbox Series S launched at $300 in 2020, equivalent to about $375 today due to inflation.
- The Xbox Series X launched at $500 in 2020, equivalent to about $625 today due to inflation.
However, the Xbox Series X Digital and the 2TB Galaxy Special Edition are now 33% more expensive than their launch prices in October 2024. A year's worth of inflation would only account for a small fraction of this increase.
The Future of Console Pricing
Traditionally, console prices dropped significantly in the years following launch. However, with rising costs and economic uncertainty, this trend appears to be over. It remains to be seen how much more gamers will tolerate before pushing back. For now, it seems that higher console prices are here to stay.